Technical Supervisor

The Pennsylvania State University; Harrisburg (Dauphin County); On-site; USD 39,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn State Harrisburg is seeking a Technical Supervisor for the Mukund S. Kulkarni Theatre.

Reporting to the Technical Director, this role provides primary operational support and backup, extending daily theatre operations with flexible evening and weekend hours to supervise student staff and ensure event success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Technical Theatre, Theatre Production, Event Production, Arts Administration, or related discipline, plus 3 years of progressively responsible experience in technical theatre, live event production, or performing arts operations.
• Experience supervising student employees or production crews.
• Demonstrated experience in scenic construction, lighting, audio, video, stage operations, theatrical rigging, and streaming technologies.
• Proficiency in theatre operations, production coordination, equipment maintenance, inventory management, customer service, and safety management.
• Strong communication skills, independent judgment, and operational problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead setup, operation, troubleshooting, and strike for productions and events; operate lighting, audio, video, projection, staging, rigging, and streaming systems.
• Coordinate work calls, rehearsals, load-ins, strikes, venue changeovers, and prep; participate in production meetings and planning with faculty, staff, students, clients and vendors.
• Construct, install, modify, and strike scenic elements; operate shop tools; supervise student employees in construction and shop safety.
• Inspect, troubleshoot, repair, and perform preventive maintenance on theatre systems; maintain equipment inventories and records; recommend upgrades and replacements.
• Recruit, schedule, train, supervise, and mentor student employees; assign work, track hours, monitor performance, develop crew leaders, provide hands-on instruction.
• Maintain event calendars, run sheets, work orders, paperwork, and purchasing documentation; conduct safety inspections and enforce university safety policies.

Skills

Strong communication

Independent judgment

Operational problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Technical Theatre

Tools

ETC

Dante

QLab

Vectorworks

Microsoft 365

Job description

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location.For additional information on remote work at Penn State, seeNotice to Out of State Applicants.

This position is funded for 1 year(s); continuation past 1 year(s) will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

This is a/an 83.3% full-time equivalency (FTE) job with months off. The number of months off will be determined by the position's FTE percentage. The timing of months off will be set to meet the needs of the unit and the essential duties of the position. Questions related to HR105 FTE positions should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

This position is eligible for benefits associated with any full-time position. The salary grade and range listed in the posting is reflective of a 100% Full-time position. Full-time equivalency job offers may fall outside of the listed range due to the assigned percentage of effort.

POSITION SPECIFICS

Penn State Harrisburg is seeking a Technical Supervisor for the Mukund S. Kulkarni Theatre. Reporting directly to the Technical Director, this position serves as the primary operational support and backup, extending operational capacity and ensuring continuity of daily theatre operations.

The Technical Supervisor provides advanced technical expertise, operational coordination, scenic construction, and independent problem-solving for theatrical productions, academic programming, campus events, touring performances, and community events. Because this role actively oversees live productions and event execution, it requires a flexible schedule, including regular evening and weekend hours to supervise student staff and ensure the overall success of events.

Working collaboratively with the Technical Director, Performing Arts Operations Specialist, Special Events staff, faculty, students, community partners, and visiting artists, this role supervises student employees and contracted crews while promoting a safe, efficient, and high-quality performing arts environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Production & Live Events: Lead setup, operation, troubleshooting, and strike for productions and events. Operate lighting, audio, video, projection, staging, rigging, and streaming/broadcasting systems. Interpret technical documentation and serve as Technical Supervisor, Crew Chief, Board Operator, or Lead Technician. Support touring shows, guest artists, recordings, and multimedia presentations.
• Operations & Production Logistics: Coordinate work calls, rehearsals, load-ins, strikes, venue changeovers, and performance space prep. Participate in production meetings, post-event evaluations, and planning/implementation alongside faculty, staff, students, clients, and vendors.
• Scenic Construction & Shop Operations: Construct, install, modify, and strike scenic elements based on technical drawings. Operate and maintain scene shop tools and equipment, maintain shop organization, and train/supervise student employees in construction and shop safety.
• Systems & Equipment Maintenance: Inspect, troubleshoot, repair, and conduct preventive maintenance on theatre systems. Maintain equipment inventories and records; recommend upgrades and replacements.
• Student Supervision & Mentorship: Assist with recruiting, scheduling, training, supervising, and mentoring student employees. Assign work, track hours, monitor performance, develop crew leaders, and provide hands‑on technical instruction.
• Administration & Safety: Maintain event calendars, run sheets, work orders, paperwork, and purchasing documentation. Conduct safety inspections, maintain safety records, and enforce compliance with University safety policies.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education & Experience: Bachelor's degree in Technical Theatre, Theatre Production, Event Production, Arts Administration, or a related discipline (or equivalent combination of education and experience), plus 3 years of progressively responsible experience in technical theatre, live event production, or performing arts operations.
• Supervisory Experience: Experience supervising student employees or production crews.
• Technical Skills & Expertise: Demonstrated experience in scenic construction, lighting, audio, video, stage operations, theatrical rigging, and streaming technologies.
• Operational Knowledge: Proficiency in theatre operations, production coordination, equipment maintenance, inventory management, customer service, and safety management.
• Core Competencies: Strong communication skills, independent judgment, and operational problem-solving abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education performing arts, institutional special events, and touring productions.
• Experience with livestreaming and hybrid events.
• Experience with ETC, Dante, QLab, Vectorworks, and Microsoft 365.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptedRequired Certifications:None

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver's license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks. Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $44,628.00 - $64,668.00.

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.

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